Meghalaya wedding Rituals

Marriage within a clan is prohibited in Meghalaya. Second the girls propose marriage to boys. Third the woman is considered the mistress of the household and the sole custodian of wealth and not just a proprietress. The woman has rights over the house. The institution of bride price does not apply. The child bears mother’s surname.

Rings or betel-nut bags are exchanged between the bride and the bridegroom to complete the union. There is no dowry system. Both sexes are free to choose their own partners. Often there is no formal marriage ceremony with the relationship merely sealed by the man moving into a woman's joint family ancestral home.